Camera tilting mechanism for displays with corner chamfers

ABSTRACT

System and method for enabling capturing of multiple images from a display device in which multiple image capturing devices disposed, at least partially, in the display device are controllably oriented to capture opposing offset views of a subject for combining (e.g., via optical tiling of captured image data) into a composite view.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to image capture devices integrated inmobile computing systems, and in particular, to cameras disposed withinthe bezel of a tilt-up display screen of a personal computer (PC).

A PC is versatile for many and varied applications beyond the typicalcomputing functions for which it was originally designed. One suchapplication is enabling communications via video conferencing in whichan image (e.g., “headshot”) of the local user is captured by a camerawithin the bezel of the tilt-up display screen of a mobile PC andexchanged with that of the person with whom the local user iscommunicating. Prior conventional techniques placed a camera within thecenter of the top portion of the display bezel surrounding the outerboundary of the display screen, thereby ensuring capture of a moredesirable facial image of the local user.

However, as displays have increased in size, it remains desirable tominimize form factors of the host mobile systems. As a result, largerdisplays have been accommodated by narrowing bezels to achieve higherscreen-to-body ratios (e.g., ≥80% for displays of 12-13 inches and ≥90%for displays larger than 14 inches).

Initially this has required size reductions of the camera lenses, whichdegrades camera performance, and/or size reductions of camera themodules, which further degrades camera performance, feature set andimaging quality while also potentially increasing cost due tospecialized manufacturing processes. However, even with such reductionsin camera sizes, accommodations have further required displays witheither housing extensions or “bump outs” to locate the cameras. Otheralternatives include cameras placed below the display (e.g., in thebezel below the display or placed below the display on the surface ofthe case containing the keyboard), which produce undesirablefield-of-view (FoV) images (e.g., images from below the chin of thelocal user).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With respect to the discussion to follow and in particular to thedrawings, it is stressed that the particulars shown represent examplesfor purposes of illustrative discussion and are presented in the causeof providing a description of principles and conceptual aspects of thepresent disclosure. In this regard, no attempt is made to showimplementation details beyond what is needed for a fundamentalunderstanding of the present disclosure. The discussion to follow, inconjunction with the drawings, makes apparent to those of skill in theart how embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may bepracticed. Similar or same reference numbers may be used to identify orotherwise refer to similar or same elements in the various drawings andsupporting descriptions. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a video display including multiple image capturingdevices according to example embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates captured images of a user using image capturingdevices in conventional top-center and corner locations.

FIG. 3 illustrates captured images of a user using image capturingdevices according to example embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate differences between a captured image of a userusing an image capturing device in a conventional top-center locationand captured image elements of a user using multiple image capturingdevices according to example embodiments.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate placement and orientation of an image capturingdevice in a display when not enabled for use according to exampleembodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate placement and orientation of an image capturingdevice in a display when enabled for use according to exampleembodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile computing deviceincluding image capturing devices according to example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousexamples and specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be evident,however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure asexpressed in the claims may include some or all of the features in theseexamples, alone or in combination with other features described below,and may further include modifications and equivalents of the featuresand concepts described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a video display including multiple image capturingdevices according to example embodiments. As noted above, to increasethe screen-to-body ratio, display suppliers provide PC displays 100 withcorner chamfers 102 a, 102 b cut to hold user facing camera modules 104a, 104 b without needing to create recessed display features (e.g., suchas a notch in the top of the display area as done in selectedsmartphones).

FIG. 2 illustrates captured images of a user using image capturingdevices in conventional top-center and corner locations. A problemresults, however, with the user facing camera placed at the corner.Previously, with a camera 204 c located above the top center of thedisplay (e.g., with a field of view (FoV) of 40 degrees), a fullyfrontal image 205 c of the user is captured and centered in the display.However, with cameras 204 a, 204 b located in the corners, the capturedimages 205 a, 205 b are only partially frontal and partially profile,and also appear off-center at either end of the display.

FIG. 3 illustrates captured images of a user using image capturingdevices according to example embodiments. As discussed in more detailbelow, multiple image capturing devices (e.g., compact camera modulesemploying wafer level device technology as widely known in the art) 104a, 104 b are disposed at opposing upper portions (e.g., top corners) ofthe display 100 and positioned such that each captures, from itsperspective, a partial frontal and partial profile image 105 a, 105 b(each of which may remain centered within the captured display frame asshown). The resulting captured image data may then be processed inaccordance with one or more of various image tiling techniques widelyknown in the art that enable creation of image data that, in turn, maybe presented as a fully frontal image 105 c which may be similar to animage otherwise produced from an image capturing device 104 c positionedin a conventional top center location of the display 100.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate differences between a captured image of a userusing an image capturing device in a conventional top-center locationand captured image elements of a user using multiple image capturingdevices according to example embodiments. As noted above, aconventionally located camera 114 in the top center of the display 100produces a full frontal image 115. As further noted above, multipleseparated cameras 104 a, 104 b (e.g., located and positioned at inwardlydirected angles during operation at opposing extremes of the display100) capture virtually all features of the subject 106 to be displayed,by locating various views of the ear regions 125 a, 125 d, nose 125 b,mouth 125 c, etc., of the user 106. Using such captured features asreference points, tiling of the image data may be performed to produce acomposite image of the user 106 to appear on the display 100 as if asingle camera had been used.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate placement and orientation of an image capturingdevice in a display when not enabled for use according to exampleembodiments. For example, while the display 100 is in its closedposition, e.g., with the viewing surface of the display 100substantially flush against the keyboard housing 210 of the host PC, thecamera module is, similarly, in its closed (e.g., latched, locked orotherwise restrained) position such that its viewing surface, i.e., thesurface of the housing 104 h via which images may be viewed through itslens assembly 104 i is flush, or aligned with, the viewing surface ofthe display 100. In accordance with example embodiments, this maypreload compression of a spring mechanism 106 that would otherwise urgerotation of the camera module 104 h outward from the viewing surface ofthe display 100 (discussed in more detail below).

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate placement and orientation of an image capturingdevice in a display when enabled for use according to exampleembodiments. For example, camera deployment (e.g., to its open,unlatched, unlocked, released or otherwise unrestrained position) andoperation may be enabled simply by opening the display, e.g., byrotating it away from the keyboard housing 210 of the host PC. As aresult, the preloaded compression of the spring mechanism 106 may urgerotation of the camera module 104 h outward from the viewing surface ofthe display 100 (e.g., until it engages at a predetermined angle with arotation stopping mechanism 108). Further, during this deployment of thecamera module 104 h, the operation of the camera for image capturing andprocessing purposes may be enabled by electronic circuitry sensitive tothe movement of the camera module 104 h from its closed, or flush,position to its deployed, or angularly protruding, position.

In accordance with well known electronic camera operation principles,visual information is captured for processing via electronic circuitry104 j of the camera module. The electronic circuitry 104 j may be there,or, alternatively in other processing circuitry (discussed in moredetail below), that the image tiling may be performed.

Other mechanisms may also be used to cause or allow angular movement ofthe camera module 104 h for deployment of the camera during itsoperation. For example, a push-push spring loaded mechanism may be usedas a latching mechanism, e.g., similar to those used for inserting andremoving external memory modules (e.g., SD or micro-SD memory cards) ina PC. The user may manually push the camera into its flush orientationcausing a locking mechanism to engage (e.g., latch, lock or otherwiserestrain and orient the camera module 104 h) to maintain the flushorientation and, optionally, cause operation of the camera module to bedisabled. Conversely, when camera operation is desired, the user mayagain manually push the camera to cause release of the latching, lockingor orientation mechanism and thereby allow the spring mechanism 106 urgethe camera angularly outward and cause operation of the camera module tobe enabled. Other mechanisms may also be employed, such as remotecontrol of electromagnetic mechanisms to depress and deploy the cameramodule into and out from the display surface, respectively, while alsodisabling and enabling camera operation.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile computing device 1including image capturing devices according to example embodiments. Thecomputing device 1 may house a system board 2 that may include a numberof components, including, without limitation, to a processor 4 and atleast one communication package 6. The communication package 6 may becoupled to one or more antennas 16. The processor 4 may be physically aswell as electrically coupled to the board 2.

Depending on its applications, computing device 1 may include othercomponents that may or may not be physically and electrically coupled tothe board 2. These other components include, without limitation,volatile memory (e.g., DRAM) 8, non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM) 9, flashmemory (not shown), a graphics processor 12, a digital signal processor(not shown), a crypto processor (not shown), a chipset 14, an antenna16, a display 18 (e.g., a touchscreen), a touchscreen controller 20, abattery 22, an audio codec (not shown), a video codec (not shown), apower amplifier 24, a global positioning system (GPS) device 26, acompass 28, an accelerometer (not shown), a gyroscope (not shown), aspeaker 30, image capturing devices (e.g., cameras) 32, a lamp 33, amicrophone array 34, and a mass storage device (such as a hard diskdrive) 10, compact disk (CD) drive (not shown), digital versatile disk(DVD) drive (not shown), and so forth. These components may be connectedto the system board 2, mounted to the system board, or combined with anyof the other components.

The communication package 6 enables wireless and/or wired communicationsfor the transfer of data to and from the computing device 1. The term“wireless” and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits,devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc.,that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagneticradiation through a non-solid medium. The term does not imply that theassociated devices do not contain any wires, although in someembodiments they might not. The communication package 6 may implementany of a number of wireless or wired standards or protocols, includingbut not limited to Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16family), IEEE 802.20, long term evolution (LTE), Ev-DO, HSPA+, HSDPA+,HSUPA+, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT, Bluetooth, Ethernetderivatives thereof, as well as any other wireless and wired protocolsthat are designated as 3G, 4G, 5G, and beyond. The computing device 1may include multiple communication packages 6. For instance, a firstcommunication package 6 may be dedicated to shorter range wirelesscommunications such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and a second communicationpackage 6 may be dedicated to longer range wireless communications suchas GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, Ev-DO, and others.

The cameras 32 may contain image sensors with pixels or photodetectors,and may use resources of an image processing chip 3 to read values andalso to perform exposure control, depth map determination, formatconversion, coding and decoding, noise reduction and 3D mapping, etc.The processor 4 is coupled to the image processing chip to drive theprocesses, set parameters, etc.

In various implementations, the computing device 1 may be eyewear, alaptop, a netbook, a notebook, an ultrabook, a smartphone, a tablet, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), an ultra mobile PC, a mobile phone, adesktop computer, a server, a set-top box, an entertainment controlunit, a digital camera, a portable music player, a digital videorecorder, wearables or drones. The computing device may be fixed,portable, or wearable. In further implementations, the computing device1 may be any other electronic device that processes data. Embodimentsmay be further implemented as a part of one or more memory chips,controllers, CPUs (Central Processing Unit), microchips or integratedcircuits interconnected using a motherboard, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), and/or a field programmable gate array(FPGA).

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “example embodiment”,“various embodiments”, etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) sodescribed may include particular features, structures, orcharacteristics, but not every embodiment necessarily includes theparticular features, structures, or characteristics. Further, someembodiments may have some, all, or none of the features described forother embodiments.

In the foregoing and following description and the following claims, theterm “coupled” along with its derivatives, may be used. “Coupled” isused to indicate that two or more elements cooperate or interact witheach other, but they may or may not have intervening physical orelectrical components between them.

As used in the claims, unless otherwise specified, the use of theordinal adjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe asimilar element, merely indicate that different instances of suchelements are being recited, and are not intended to imply that theelements so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally,spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

The drawings and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of thedescribed elements may well be combined into a single functionalelement. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiplefunctional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added toanother embodiment. For example, orders of operation described hereinmay be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein.Moreover, actions of any operation flow need not be implemented in theorder described, nor do all actions necessarily need to be performed.Also, those actions that are not dependent on other actions may beperformed in parallel with the other actions.

Method examples described herein may be implemented, at least in part,with nor or more machines or computing devices. Some examples mayinclude a computer-readable medium or machine-readable medium encodedwith instructions operable to configure an electronic device to performmethods as described in the examples disclosed herein. An exampleimplementation of such methods may include code, such as microcode,assembly language code, a higher-level language code, or the like. Suchcode may include computer readable instructions for performing variousmethods. The code may form portions of computer program products.Further, in an example, the code may be tangibly stored on one or morevolatile, non-transitory, or non-volatile tangible computer-readablemedia, such as during execution or at other times. Examples of thesetangible computer-readable media may include, without limitation, harddisks, removable magnetic disks, removable optical disks (e.g., compactdisks and digital video disks), magnetic cassettes, memory cards orsticks, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), and thelike.

The following examples pertain to further embodiments. The variousfeatures of the different embodiments may be variously combined withsome features included and others excluded to suit a variety ofdifferent applications.

Some embodiments pertain to a display having multiple image capturingdevices, including a display device having a viewing surface and edgewith opposing first and second top corner regions, and a plurality ofimage capturing devices disposed, at least partially, in the opposingfirst and second top corner regions. The plurality of image capturingdevices includes first and second image capturing devices. The firstimage capturing device has a first angular field of view centered abouta first axis, and is configured to be selectively positioned in: a firstorientation such that the first axis defines a first angle relative tothe viewing surface; or a first alternative orientation such that thefirst axis defines a first alternative angle relative to the viewingsurface and unequal to the first angle. The second image capturingdevice has a second angular field of view centered about a second axis,and is configured to be selectively positioned in: a second orientationsuch that the second axis defines a second angle relative to the viewingsurface; or a second alternative orientation such that the second axisdefines a second alternative angle relative to the viewing surface andunequal to the second angle.

In further embodiments, the first and second alternative angles includefirst and second acute angles generally oriented toward an areaintermediate the opposing first and second top corner regions.

In further embodiments, the first and second axes intersect when thefirst and second image capturing devices are positioned in the first andsecond alternative orientations, respectively.

In further embodiments, the first alternative angle is less than thefirst angle, and the second alternative angle is less than the secondangle.

In further embodiments, further included is a plurality of latchingmechanisms disposed, at least partially, in the opposing first andsecond top corner regions, and including: a first latching mechanism tocontrol the first image capturing device with a first closed latchingstate for the first orientation, and a first open latching state for thefirst alternative orientation; and a second latching mechanism tocontrol the second image capturing device with a second closed latchingstate for the second orientation, and a second open latching state forthe second alternative orientation.

In further embodiments, further included is a plurality of orientationcontrol devices disposed, at least partially, in the opposing first andsecond top corner regions, and including: a first orientation controldevice to control the first image capturing device with a first closedorientation state for the first orientation, and a first openorientation state for the first alternative orientation; and a secondorientation control device to control the second image capturing devicewith a second closed orientation state for the second orientation, and asecond open orientation state for the second alternative orientation.

In further embodiments, further included is a portable computer with akeyboard housing to which the display device is rotatably coupled. Thedisplay device is rotatable to a closed position against the keyboardhousing for the first and second orientations, and rotatable to an openposition away from the keyboard housing for the first and secondalternative orientations.

Some embodiments pertain to a display having multiple image capturingdevices, including display means having a viewing surface and edge withopposing first and second top corner regions, and a plurality of imagecapturing means disposed, at least partially, in the opposing first andsecond top corner regions. The plurality of image capturing meansincludes first and second image capturing means. The first imagecapturing means has a first angular field of view centered about a firstaxis, and is configured to be selectively positioned in: a firstinactive orientation such that the first axis defines a first anglerelative to the viewing surface; or a first alternative orientation suchthat the first axis defines a first alternative angle relative to theviewing surface and unequal to the first angle. The second imagecapturing means has a second angular field of view centered about asecond axis, and is configured to be selectively positioned in: a secondorientation such that the second axis defines a second angle relative tothe viewing surface; or a second alternative orientation such that thesecond axis defines a second alternative angle relative to the viewingsurface and unequal to from the second angle.

In further embodiments, the first and second alternative angles includefirst and second acute angles generally oriented toward an areaintermediate the opposing first and second top corner regions.

In further embodiments, the first and second axes intersect when thefirst and second image capturing devices are positioned in the first andsecond alternative orientations, respectively.

In further embodiments, the first alternative angle is less than thefirst angle, and the second alternative angle is less than the secondangle.

In further embodiments, further included is a plurality of latchingmeans disposed, at least partially, in the opposing first and second topcorner regions, and including: first latching means for controlling thefirst image capturing means with a first closed latching state for thefirst orientation, and a first open latching state for the firstalternative orientation; and second latching means for controlling thesecond image capturing means with a second closed latching state for thesecond orientation, and a second open latching state for the secondalternative orientation.

In further embodiments, further included is a plurality of orientationcontrol means disposed, at least partially, in the opposing first andsecond top corner regions, and including: first orientation controlmeans for controlling the first image capturing means with a firstclosed orientation state for the first orientation, and a first openorientation state for the first alternative orientation; and secondorientation control means for controlling the second image capturingmeans with a second closed orientation state for the second orientation,and a second open orientation state for the second alternativeorientation.

In further embodiments, further included is a portable computer with akeyboard housing to which the display means is rotatably coupled. Thedisplay means is rotatable to a closed position against the keyboardhousing for the first and second orientations, and rotatable to an openposition away from the keyboard housing for the first and secondalternative orientations.

Some embodiments pertain a method for enabling capturing of multipleimages from a display device, including using a display device thatincludes a viewing surface and edge with opposing first and second topcorner regions, and a plurality of image capturing devices disposed, atleast partially, in the opposing first and second top corner regions.The plurality of image capturing devices includes first and second imagecapturing devices. The first image capturing device has a first angularfield of view centered about a first axis, and the second imagecapturing device has a second angular field of view centered about asecond axis. Further included, for a first time interval, is causing thefirst image capturing device to be positioned in a first orientationsuch that the first axis defines a first angle relative to the viewingsurface, and the second image capturing device to be positioned in asecond orientation such that the second axis defines a second anglerelative to the viewing surface. Further included, for a second timeinterval, is causing the first image capturing device to be positionedin a first alternative orientation such that the first axis defines afirst alternative angle relative to the viewing surface and unequal tothe first angle, and the second image capturing device to be positionedin a second alternative orientation such that the second axis defines asecond alternative angle relative to the viewing surface and unequal tofrom the second angle.

In further embodiments, the first and second alternative angles includefirst and second acute angles generally oriented toward an areaintermediate the opposing first and second top corner regions.

In further embodiments, the first and second axes intersect when thefirst and second image capturing devices are positioned in the first andsecond alternative orientations, respectively.

In further embodiments, the first alternative angle is less than thefirst angle, and the second alternative angle is less than the secondangle.

In further embodiments, further included is: actuating a first latchingmechanism to cause the first image capturing device to be in a firstclosed latching state for the first orientation, and in a first openlatching state for the first alternative orientation; and actuating asecond latching mechanism to cause the second image capturing device tobe in a second closed latching state for the second orientation, and ina second open latching state for the second alternative orientation.

In further embodiments, further included is: operating a firstorientation control to cause the first image capturing device to be in afirst closed orientation state for the first orientation, and in a firstopen orientation state for the first alternative orientation; andoperating a second orientation control to cause the second imagecapturing device to be in a second closed orientation state for thesecond orientation, and in a second open orientation state for thesecond alternative orientation.

In further embodiments, further including rotating the display devicerelative to a keyboard housing of a portable computer to: a closedposition against the keyboard housing for the first and secondorientations; and an open position away from the keyboard housing forthe first and second alternative orientations.

The above description illustrates various embodiments of the presentdisclosure along with examples of how aspects of the particularembodiments may be implemented. The above examples should not be deemedto be the only embodiments and are presented to illustrate theflexibility and advantages of the particular embodiments as defined bythe following claims. Based on the above disclosure and the followingclaims, other arrangements, embodiments, implementations and equivalentsmay be employed without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure as defined by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus including a display having multipleimage capturing devices, comprising: a display device having a viewingsurface and edge with opposing first and second top corner regions; anda plurality of image capturing devices disposed, at least partially, insaid opposing first and second top corner regions, and including a firstimage capturing device having a first angular field of view centeredabout a first axis, and configured to be selectively positioned in afirst disposition where the first image capturing device is restrainedbelow the viewing surface of the display device, and said first axisdefines a first angle relative to said viewing surface, or a firstalternative disposition wherein the first image capturing device isunrestrained and deployed above the viewing surface of the displaydevice in a tilted manner in a direction orthogonal to the viewingsurface of the display device, and said first axis defines a firstalternative angle relative to said viewing surface and unequal to saidfirst angle, and a second image capturing device having a second angularfield of view centered about a second axis, and configured to beselectively positioned in a second disposition where the second imagecapturing device is restrained below the viewing surface of the displaydevice, and said second axis defines a second angle relative to saidviewing surface, or a second alternative disposition where the secondimage capturing device is unrestrained and deployed above the viewingsurface of the display device in a tilted manner in a directionorthogonal to the viewing surface of the display device, and said secondaxis defines a second alternative angle relative to said viewing surfaceand unequal to said second angle.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid first and second alternative angles comprise first and second acuteangles generally oriented toward an area intermediate said opposingfirst and second top corner regions.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said first and second axes intersect when said first and secondimage capturing devices are positioned in said first and secondalternative dispositions, respectively.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein: said first alternative angle is less than said first angle; andsaid second alternative angle is less than said second angle.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of latchingmechanisms disposed, at least partially, in said opposing first andsecond top corner regions, and including: a first latching mechanism tocontrol said first image capturing device with a first closed latchingstate for said first disposition, and a first open latching state forsaid first alternative disposition; and a second latching mechanism tocontrol said second image capturing device with a second closed latchingstate for said second disposition, and a second open latching state forsaid second alternative disposition.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of disposition control devices disposed,at least partially, in said opposing first and second top cornerregions, and including: a first disposition control device to controlsaid first image capturing device with a first closed disposition statefor said first disposition, and a first open disposition state for saidfirst alternative disposition; and a second disposition control deviceto control said second image capturing device with a second closeddisposition state for said second disposition, and a second opendisposition state for said second alternative disposition.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein: said apparatus comprises a portablecomputer including a keyboard housing to which said display device isrotatably coupled; said display device is rotatable to a closed positionagainst said keyboard housing for said first and second dispositions;and said display device is rotatable to an open position away from saidkeyboard housing for said first and second alternative dispositions. 8.An apparatus including a display having multiple image capturingdevices, comprising: a display device having a viewing surface and edgewith opposing first and second top corner regions; a keyboard housing,having a keyboard, coupled to the display device, the display device andthe keyboard housing being rotatable relative to each other between anopen position and a closed position; and a plurality of image capturingdevices disposed, at least partially, in said opposing first and secondtop corner regions, and including a first image capturing device havinga first angular field of view centered about a first axis, andconfigured to be selectively positioned in a first disposition where thefirst image capturing device is restrained below the viewing surface ofthe display device, and said first axis defines a first angle relativeto said viewing surface, when the display device and the keyboardhousing are in the closed position relative to each other, or a firstalternative disposition where the first image capturing device isunrestrained and deployed above the viewing surface of the displaydevice in a tilted manner in a direction orthogonal to the viewingsurface of the display device, and said first axis defines a firstalternative angle relative to said viewing surface and unequal to saidfirst angle, when the display device and the keyboard housing are in theopen position relative to each other, and a second image capturingdevice having a second angular field of view centered about a secondaxis, and configured to be selectively positioned in a seconddisposition where the second image capturing device is restrained belowthe viewing surface of the display device, and said second axis definesa second angle relative to said viewing surface, when the display deviceand the keyboard housing are in the closed position relative to eachother, or a second alternative disposition where the second imagecapturing device is unrestrained and deployed above the viewing surfaceof the display device in a tilted manner in a direction orthogonal tothe viewing surface of the display device, and said second axis definesa second alternative angle relative to said viewing surface and unequalto said second angle, when the display device and the keyboard housingare in the open position relative to each other.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein said first and second alternative angles comprise firstand second acute angles generally oriented toward an area intermediatesaid opposing first and second top corner regions.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein said first and second axes intersect when said firstand second image capturing devices are positioned in said first andsecond alternative dispositions, respectively.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein: said first alternative angle is less than said firstangle; and said second alternative angle is less than said second angle.12. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of latchingmechanism disposed, at least partially, in said opposing first andsecond top corner regions, and including: first latching mechanism forcontrolling said first image capturing device with a first closedlatching state for said first disposition, and a first open latchingstate for said first alternative disposition; and second latchingmechanism for controlling said second image capturing device with asecond closed latching state for said second disposition, and a secondopen latching state for said second alternative disposition.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of dispositioncontrol devices disposed, at least partially, in said opposing first andsecond top corner regions, and including: a first disposition controldevice for controlling said first image capturing device with a firstclosed disposition state for said first disposition, and a first opendisposition state for said first alternative disposition; and a seconddisposition control device for controlling said second image capturingdevice with a second closed disposition state for said seconddisposition, and a second open disposition state for said secondalternative disposition.
 14. A method for enabling capturing of multipleimages from a display device, comprising: using a display device thatincludes a viewing surface and edge with opposing first and second topcorner regions, and a plurality of image capturing devices disposed, atleast partially, in said opposing first and second top corner regions,and including a first image capturing device having a first angularfield of view centered about a first axis, and a second image capturingdevice having a second angular field of view centered about a secondaxis; for a first time interval, causing said first image capturingdevice to be positioned in a first disposition where the first imagecapturing device is restrained below the viewing surface of the displaydevice, and said first axis defines a first angle relative to saidviewing surface, and said second image capturing device to be positionedin a second disposition where the second image capturing device isrestrained below the viewing surface of the display device, and saidsecond axis defines a second angle relative to said viewing surface; andfor a second time interval, causing said first image capturing device tobe positioned in a first alternative disposition where the first imagecapturing device is unrestrained and deployed in a tilted manner in adirection orthogonal to the viewing surface of the display device, andsaid first axis defines a first alternative angle relative to saidviewing surface and unequal to said first angle, and said second imagecapturing device to be positioned in a second alternative dispositionwhere the second image capturing device is unrestrained and deployed ina tilted manner in a direction orthogonal to the viewing surface of thedisplay device, and said second axis defines a second alternative anglerelative to said viewing surface and unequal to said second angle. 15.The method of claim 14, wherein said first and second alternative anglescomprise first and second acute angles generally oriented toward an areaintermediate said opposing first and second top corner regions.
 16. Themethod of claim 14, wherein said first and second axes intersect whensaid first and second image capturing devices are positioned in saidfirst and second alternative dispositions, respectively.
 17. The methodof claim 14, wherein: said first alternative angle is less than saidfirst angle; and said second alternative angle is less than said secondangle.
 18. The method of claim 14, further comprising: actuating a firstlatching mechanism to cause said first image capturing device to be in afirst closed latching state for said first disposition, and in a firstopen latching state for said first alternative disposition; andactuating a second latching mechanism to cause said second imagecapturing device to be in a second closed latching state for said seconddisposition, and in a second open latching state for said secondalternative disposition.
 19. The method of claim 14, further comprising:operating a first disposition control to cause said first imagecapturing device to be in a first closed disposition state for saidfirst disposition, and in a first open disposition state for said firstalternative disposition; and operating a second disposition control tocause said second image capturing device to be in a second closeddisposition state for said second disposition, and in a second opendisposition state for said second alternative disposition.
 20. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising rotating said display devicerelative to a keyboard housing of a portable computer to: a closedposition against said keyboard housing for said first and seconddispositions; and an open position away from said keyboard housing forsaid first and second alternative dispositions.